Delta state chapter of the Society for Family Physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON) weekend held the World Family Doctor Day (WFDD), an annual event which focuses on contribution of family doctors to the healthcare of their patients and communities.
The 2023 event which held at St. Luke Hospital, Asaba, Delta state drew family doctors from major hospitals in the state. They are from both private and public hospitals in Delta state. Among hospitals whose doctors were present at the event were Federal Medical Centre, Asaba; The Ark Medical Centre, Asaba; Asaba Specialist Hospital Asaba; Eku Baptist Government Hospital Eku; St. Luke Hospital Asaba; Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH) and others.
The World Family Doctor Day was an event specially put together by the Delta state chapter of SOFPON to assess the role of family doctors, the successes being recorded and an avenue to challenge family doctors across the state to put in more efforts in their drive to provide quality healthcare services to their patients and most importantly, prevent unwarranted deaths.
Speaking at the event, The National President of the body, Professor Musa Dankyau, said world family doctor day is a significant occasion to highlight the vital role and contribution of Family Doctors and an opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate contributions of primary care teams in healthcare systems worldwide.
He said the event is celebrated annually to recognize the central role of family doctors in delivering personal, comprehensive and continuous healthcare to patients.
According to him, the theme of the 2023 World Family Doctors Day, “Family Doctors: The Heart of Healthcare” draws attention to several fundamental issues in health services provision which is at the very core of family medicine practice.
Represented by Dr. Bamidele Ogunfowokan, the Delta state chairman of SOPON, the National President said family doctors are typically the first point of contact for patients seeking medical care progressing to providing continuous and comprehensive care for patients throughout their lives while building long-term relationships.
Professor Musa Dankyau noted that family doctors who are coordinators of patients healthcare needs, work with other healthcare providers and hospitals to ensure that patients receive the best possible care without duplication of services.
He said family doctors are advocates for patients, helping them navigate the healthcare systems and access resources they need, educate patients about their health, which include managing chronic conditions, making healthy lifestyle choices and prevent illness.
He described family doctors as trusted source of support for patients and families and promoters of well-being of individuals and communities while exhibiting dedication, compassion and expertise.
He said SOFPON has continued to partner with governments, individuals and groups to ensure that “our goals as a Society are achieved for the benefit of Nigerian families.”
In a lecture delivered by Dr. Ogunfowokan, who doubles as Delta state and South-South chairman of SOFPON, admonished doctors to provide good care to their patients, just as he implored the doctors to be abreast with their professional calling and know what to do at every point in time.
Dr. Ogunfowokan frowned at the incessant traveling abroad of politicians to seek medical care, a development which has made them to abandon the hospitals in Nigeria. He called on the government at all levels to develop the hospitals in Nigeria and make them function optimally.
He advocated for full implementation of the universal health coverage which dwells on reaching all Nigerian irrespective of their abode. He said rural dwellers, poor people, prison inmates, young and old people and children should be unreservedly captured in healthcare services.
He said despite this laudable plans by world health institutions, many people are not reached, noting that all gaps should be filled, hence reduce the gap between those who are able to access quality healthcare and those who cannot.
He called on Nigerian government to invest heavily in healthcare, but decried government poor attitude to Nigerian health system knowing that they jet out of the country with little ailments that could be handled by Nigerian doctors with ease.
Dr. Ese Aboloje, a Family Physician who recently retired from Eku Baptist Government Hospital, called on doctors to be committed to their job despite the harsh environment in which they find themselves in Nigeria.
Highlight of the 2023 World Family Doctors Day in Asaba was the cutting of the cake by all doctors present at the event
